Help Mirai's Family See Their Daughter in the Olympics

This is an email from a former coworker, reaching out to help a family he has known for years.


So, a rare solicitation here.

The daughter of my weekly sushi lunch joint won the 2nd seat for the USA’s Women’s Figure Skating. Mirai Nagasu will be headed to the 2010 Olympics and while I know her father and mother are excited and proud, I know they are also anxious because they are trying to figure out how they 1) can take off time from running their Sushi Bar/Restaurant in Arcadia 2) pay for the exorbitant prices for lodging – if they can even get lodging up in Vancouver, Canada where Mirai will be skating.

Mirai’s story of how she got into Ice Skating is pretty funny. Kiyoto-san used to take her golfing all the time when she was younger and she was, in his words, “Soooooo good!” He was hoping for her to become a professional golfer some day and help him retire and she seemed to be on the path. One day, when she was 8 or 9 it was raining on their golf day and he suggested that they go ice skating. The rest is history.

“But there’s no money in ice skating! Money in golf, not ice skating.” Anyhow he has supported her through it all.

I’ve had lunch at his place, twice this week (hey gotta help out somehow and I gotta eat anyhow) and after today I thought it would not hurt to put out a solicitation to see if I might know someone through my network of friends who MIGHT have a connection in Vancouver that MIGHT be able to assist this Mom and Pop since the alternative for hotels starts at around $1,500 a night or so. A lot of mights, but you never know what can happen. Assistance with lodging for the parents might make it so that both can go. I figured it doesn’t hurt to ask.

If anything, hit up the sushi bar and spend some money there, he’ll need it.

So here is a little data on her:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirai_Nagasu and the sushi restaurant they refer to is Kiyosuzu

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-skate25-2010jan25,0,2618969.story

and for those that want to watch her program from last weekend that won her spot, here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtRFJnR3b8w

Pretty cool to see a local girl I have known since 1998 when she was just 4 head off to the Olympics.

Free Dinner on me if someone finds a free place for them to stay! (for those that actually read the entire email)

Thanks for any info assistance you might be able to provide.


Charles


If you have any contacts, know anyone, or are able to help, please comment and leave me your email so I can put you in touch with the right people.

-.-.-.-

Things aren't moving fast enough. It needs to be 2010 already. I just want to wash 2009 away. I want the new year. I want a fresh start. I want to feel better.

To Too Two

I've been terrible about updating and I'm sorry. It's not like anyone reads my blog anyway, but I still like to write. I've kinda been having a tough time the past few weeks. I was on the biggest high from my road trip with Sarah and getting ten days with one of my best friends. It really, really sucks that she lives thousands of miles away from me. Like 5400 or something like that. I was so happy to have had that amazing week. It's been back to reality for me and I just haven't been able to snap out of it. I'm trying to be patient, but it seems so hard when I feel so much. I just can't stop feeling everything so deeply and truly. I'm trying so hard.

Lists...I'm putting together my dream list for Hanukkah/birthday. This is only an extreme want list, but hey, I'm allowed to dream, right?
1. HD TV, 32"+, 1080p.
2. Credit card debt gone.
3. MacBook Pro (15").
4. My apartment to be here sooner than expected.
5. A raise.
6. Ollie is allowed to come to work with me.
7. Steve Madden Kristene boots, size 7.5, brown.
8. My feet (and lungs) to be fixed so I can run a half marathon.
9. A 1.5" barreled curling iron that doesn't shut off mid-use.
10. Complete and undeniable love.

It has been two weeks since I arrived home and I realize I haven't updated. This is mainly because I've been super busy with work. So let's talk about work. Ok, to start. I really fucking love my new job. I love love LOVE it! I like my boss, my coworkers, the work I have, the work load (I'm super busy), the industry I'm in, the amount of responsibility I'm given, I could go on and on. I have been super super happy there, to the point of whistling on my way to work and whistling on my way home. It's good. Life is good right now and I'm really really happy, and you know what I think? I think I fucking deserve it. I was pretty fucking low a few months ago, and right now, things are going well and I am glad for that. The next thing on my agenda is to get my credit card debt paid off so that I can move out, but one step at a time, right?

Currently I'm home sick with the flu. I've been home two days and I'll be missing tomorrow as well. It's awful. This is the worst flu I've had in terms of aches and pains and symptoms, but it hasn't lasted too long which is good, and I haven't had a runny nose or congestion which is fine by me. It does mean I'm missing Halloween this weekend. Rest is good, but this is the second year in a row I'm missing Halloween. I guess that means next year I will have to go all out, or else have a costume party for my birthday.

Home!

I've arrived home safe and sound. I'm glad to be home and excited to see my friends tonight. I can't believe I made it. Looking forward to starting work on Monday!!!! The weather got hot which is good and bad because I love fall fashion, but who doesn't love warm weather!? The only bad thing is I've been having bad stomach problems for almost 24 hours. :(

Four more days

Four more days until I get to go home. I can't wait. I'm so excited. This week dragged on, but I'm enjoying a very relaxing weekend. I went to the Little Italy farmers market. Got some olive & sun dried tomato pasta sauce, and some green juice made from green veggies and fruit. It's delicious. I painted my nails today which is quite a feat because I never do it and they turned out pretty nice. I think we're going to Fro-yo tonight, which I will not eat, but wouldn't it be great if they had soy? I can dream.

This week is going so SLOW. I just want it to be Wednesday, October 14 already!!!